Formed in 2006, the band rose to prominence following the release of their debut album Post-Nothing (2009). Their second album, Celebration Rock (2012), was released to widespread critical acclaim,[2] with Rolling Stone listing it as one of "The 10 Coolest Summer Albums of All Time", and Spin naming them 2012's Band of the Year.[3][4] Japandroids toured heavily in support of both albums, gaining notoriety for their live performances[5][6] and extensive international concert tours.[7] Between 2009 and 2013, the band performed approximately 500 shows in 44 countries.[8]

Japandroids was formed in 2006 by Brian King (guitar, vocals) and David Prowse (drums, vocals).[1] The two met in 2000 while attending the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia, and upon discovering a mutual interest in music, began attending live shows together regularly in Victoria and Vancouver.[1] In 2003, Prowse moved to Vancouver, transferring to Simon Fraser University. Eager to form their own band, King agreed to relocate to Vancouver following his graduation, doing so in 2005. Heavily influenced by the raw and energetic recordings of the Sonics, King and Prowse began writing and recording music in 2006, hoping to emulate the same style.[1] While they originally intended to find a third member to act as lead vocalist, they later decided to forego having a specific lead singer and simply share vocal duties.[1][14] The name Japandroids came from two other band name ideas: Japanese Scream (from Prowse) and Pleasure Droids (from King).[1] Occasionally they would spell it without vowels, as JPNDRDS.

Frustrated by the lack of support for live music in Vancouver, as well as the difficulty of 'breaking into' the local music scene, King and Prowse regularly set up their own shows.[14] Inspired by the do-it-yourself methods of bands like Fugazi, they would often arrange for a venue or space to play, rent equipment, design and distribute flyers and posters, as well as arrange for their friends to help run the shows.[14][15] Japandroids performed their first live show on December 30, 2006. Over the next two years, they would perform regularly in Vancouver, but managed only short, sporadic tours due to conflicts with King's geology studies. During this period, Japandroids self-released two EPs, 2007's All Lies,[16] and 2008's Lullaby Death Jams.[17] Each EP was limited to 500 copies, and would later be re-released as a compilation titled No Singles.

Japandroids recorded their first full-length album, Post-Nothing in the summer of 2008, with the intention of self-releasing it in 2009. However, by the fall of 2008, King and Prowse had become convinced that the band was going nowhere, and mutually decided to call it quits at the end of the year. It was agreed that their appearances at Pop Montreal in Montreal and CMJ Music Marathon in New York City would be their final live performances.[1] It was also agreed that they would self-release the album early in 2009, but would not promote it. By December 2008, King was already attempting to assemble a new band.[1]

In January 2009, Japandroids signed to independent Canadian label Unfamiliar Records, who were eager to release the album, despite the band's reservations about continuing.[1] Frustrated by label interest only after they had decided to break-up, King and Prowse reluctantly agreed to continue Japandroids temporarily, and began performing live again.[1] In March 2009, taste-making website Pitchfork Media awarded the song "Young Hearts Spark Fire" a 'Best New Track' designation,[18] exposing the band to a large audience outside of Canada.[14] Their debut album, Post-Nothing was released in Canada in April 2009,[19] originally on vinyl only. Pitchfork championed the album, awarding it a 'Best New Music' designation, and praising its rawness, energy and reckless abandon.[20] Japandroids were subsequently signed to Polyvinyl Record Co. in June 2009.[21]

Japandroids toured extensively to promote the album, earning praise for their energetic live performances.[5] The Post-Nothing Tour consisted of 7 individual legs, and included over 200 shows in more than 20 countries.[8] While primarily headlining their own shows, Japandroids also toured supporting acts such as A Place To Bury Strangers and Health in Europe, and The Walkmen in North America. The tour was originally scheduled to begin on April 23, 2009 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After performing one show, Japandroids were forced to postpone and reschedule the remainder of their first full-scale North American tour due to a health emergency. On the morning of April 24, 2009, King was checked into Calgary's Foothills Medical Center to undergo emergency surgery for a life-threatening perforated ulcer.[14] Touring resumed June 13, 2009 after King's recovery with a performance at Vancouver's Music Waste festival, and continued interrupted through to the final show October 27, 2010 at Maxwell's in Hoboken, New Jersey. Among the dates of the Post-Nothing Tour were numerous festival appearances in North America and Europe, including Pitchfork Music Festival, Sasquatch!, Bonnaroo, Osheaga Festival, Roskilde Festival, and Primavera Sound.

Initially, the duo desired to include several more tracks on the album, but were unable due to insufficient funds.[31] Many of the un-included tracks that the duo had written for the album were later recorded and released in 2010 as series of limited edition 7" singles. These tracks include "Art Czars", "Younger Us", and "Heavenward Grand Prix". The same year, Japandroids re-released their first two EPs as a compilation titled No Singles. The band has stated that both the 7" singles series, as well as the No Singles compilation, were designed to appease fans desire for more music, as they would not be able to record a second album until 2011 due to an extensive touring schedule.[31]

After taking the bulk of 2011 off to work on new material, Japandroids revealed that they would tour North America throughout August and September playing primarily smaller, intimate venues in order to test out their new material prior to the recording of their second album.[32] During these shows, the band debuted several new songs including "Fire's Highway", "Adrenaline Nightshift", and "Evil's Sway".[33] On March 26, 2012, Japandroids announced that their second album Celebration Rock would be released by Polyvinyl Record Co. on June 5, 2012,[34] preceded by a limited edition 7" of the album's first single "The House That Heaven Built" on May 15, 2012.[35]

Following a farewell message at the end of the Celebration Rock tour, the band's online presence was inactive for nearly three years. The band did not perform or give any public appearances in this time.

On August 10, 2016, it was announced that the band would be returning for a series of shows in the remainder of the year.[46] This included dates in Canada, the United States, England, Mexico and Australia. The tour poster also featured images seemingly taken from within a studio, suggesting that new material was forthcoming. On October 31, they announced that their new album would be released in January 2017.[47] On November 2, 2016 they released the single "Near to the Wild Heart of Life". On January 10, 2017 Japandroids released a second single, "No Known Drink or Drug".[48] Their third studio album, Near to the Wild Heart of Life was released on January 27 through Anti- Records worldwide and Arts & Crafts Productions in Canada.[49] The album contains eight songs and was produced by Jesse Gander.[50][51]